When you are hunting big game, you need a big gun. The Messerschmitt Me 163 Komet carried two Mk 108 autocannons. Each weapon fired 650 rounds a minute and each explosive round was over one inch in diameter. That's a lot of punching power. The American .50-caliber aircraft gun seen next to the Mk 108 in the photo is decidedly smaller and lighter.

Making a quick and brutal attack was the only way for a Komet to succeed. Rocketing along (literally) at over 500 miles per hour, the Me 163 had about 8 minutes of fuel to climb, move into position, and make a pass or two at an Allied bomber formation before gliding for home. In those rare moments — split seconds, really — where the hunter and prey are converging at almost 700 miles per hour, a peashooter isn't going to cut it. You need a knockout blow.

Share your comments: Log in using your HeraldNet account or your Facebook, Twitter or Disqus profile. Comments that violate the rules are subject to removal. Please see our terms of use. Please note that you must verify your email address for your comments to appear.